Royal Navy seizes $40m worth of drugs in Arabian Sea bust
LONDON: A Royal Navy frigate operating in the Arabian Sea seized $40 million worth of drugs in a major operation, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.
It came after the HMS Lancaster pursued a drug-trafficking boat for more than a day when British drones launched from the warship spotted illegal activity.
The ship's crew deployed a Wildcat helicopter to carry out the interception, which saw a boarding team from 42 Commando seize 80 packages of drugs.
Stopping illicit activity in its tracks!
1000kg Heroin
660kg Hashish
6kg Amphetamine
Safe from the streets, thanks to our team
Read more: https://t.co/5kyLptbHZ9@RoyalNavy@RoyalMarines@NZDefenceForce@CMF_Bahrain#CounterNarcotics#MaritimeSecurity pic.twitter.com/uzgpG45jLy
— HMS Lancaster (@HMSLANCASTER) May 30, 2025
A Royal Navy spokesman said the packages contained 1,000 kg of heroin, 660 kg of hashish and 6 kg of amphetamine.
'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task force spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity,' he added.
'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones — mini-helicopters that conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room — have played a vital part in the success.'
In March, the Royal Navy used its Peregrine drones for the first time in a drugs bust, tracking smugglers in the Indian Ocean. More than 3 tonnes of heroin, hashish and amphetamine were seized.
Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets.
'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
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